Room for Debate | abortion | New York Timeshttp://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/topics/abortion
A Running Commentary on the News – The New York TimesCopyright 2017 The New York Times Companyfeedback@nytimes.com (New York Times)Tue, 26 Sep 2017 17:14:41 -0400Did the Pope Tip the Political Scales in the U.S.?http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/09/22/did-the-pope-tip-the-political-scales-in-the-us
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/09/22/did-the-pope-tip-the-political-scales-in-the-us

In a remarkable interview released last week, Pope Francis said the church had grown “obsessed” with abortion, gay marriage and contraception, and said it should focus more on socioeconomic issues.

While not ignoring such bread and butter matters, American bishops have saved their greatest fury for those sexual and reproductive issues. At the same time they have criticized efforts by nuns to improve social welfare efforts, which the pope now says should be emphasized.

By stirring debate on both economic and cultural issues, what effect will the pope's words have on American politics?

In a remarkable interview released last week, Pope Francis said the church had grown “obsessed” with abortion, gay marriage and contraception, and said it should focus more on socioeconomic issues.

While not ignoring such bread and butter matters, American bishops have saved their greatest fury for those sexual and reproductive issues. At the same time they have criticized efforts by nuns to improve social welfare efforts, which the pope now says should be emphasized.

By stirring debate on both economic and cultural issues, what effect will the pope's words have on American politics?

For years, conservatives rallied support around opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage. Support for same-sex marriage has grown, in part, because opponents have realized that friends and relatives are gay. But Republicans have continued to press for tougher laws against abortion.

The Guttmacher Institute says 30 percent of American women have had an abortion by age 40. Would support for abortion rights grow if more women discussed their abortions?

For years, conservatives rallied support around opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage. Support for same-sex marriage has grown, in part, because opponents have realized that friends and relatives are gay. But Republicans have continued to press for tougher laws against abortion.

The Guttmacher Institute says 30 percent of American women have had an abortion by age 40. Would support for abortion rights grow if more women discussed their abortions?

Republicans and Democrats expressed outrage after Todd Akin, the G.O.P. Senate candidate in Missouri, said he opposed all abortions, even after rape, because in cases of "legitimate rape,'' women rarely get pregnant.

But Akin's position is not unusual; many opponents of abortion want a ban without exceptions. A draft of the Republican platform essentially calls for that. An early version of a House bill banning federal money for abortions, co-sponsored by the Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan, refined the rape exception so it would deal only with "forcible rape.''

Republicans and Democrats expressed outrage after Todd Akin, the G.O.P. Senate candidate in Missouri, said he opposed all abortions, even after rape, because in cases of "legitimate rape,'' women rarely get pregnant.

But Akin's position is not unusual; many opponents of abortion want a ban without exceptions. A draft of the Republican platform essentially calls for that. An early version of a House bill banning federal money for abortions, co-sponsored by the Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan, refined the rape exception so it would deal only with "forcible rape.''